Gutsy Performance Philip Buys

Race Report : News Center

After the gutsy performance by Philip Buys (Garmin adidas) in Clarens over the weekend, the question is no longer whether he is good enough to win a race in the MTN National Series, but when is he going to win one.

The Clarens Ultra-marathon over 110km was labeled by the organizers as the toughest event in the MTN Series. On Saturday Buys proved that there is truth in the words of the famous old cliché that says ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going’

He was the only rider who managed to ride to the top of the ‘killer climb’ with its slickrock surface without stopping once.

One thing is certain.  The Clarens climb will definitely become part of South African cycling folklore.  Just getting to the top is enough reason for any cyclist to lay claim to being a winner.

Buys’ performance during the descent was equally impressive. Fritz Pienaar, race organizer, who rode the lead motor bike during the race, said he had to pull out all the stops to be able to stay in front of Buys.

The Garmin adidas rider managed to get a three-minute lead on Kevin Evans (MTN-Energade) and Ben-Melt Swanepoel with his heroic ride up and down the mountain.

“When I reached the flat section of the route, I realized that there was a very good possibility that Kevin and Melt would catch up with me, because the two of them would be working together.  Everybody knows that in cycling there is strength in numbers. So I made sure that I ate and drank enough while cycling on my own so as to build up my energy levels.

“I think they caught up with me with about 25 kilometers to go. At first I had no problem to keep up with them, but then as luck would have it, I began to experience cramps in my legs.

“Being the experienced rider that he is, Kevin immediately knew that I was in trouble and he started to launch one attack after the other.  It was becoming more and more difficult for me to close the gap.

“I think it was after the third attack that I had to sit up and just spin my legs because the cramps were getting worse. That was when Kevin and Melt managed to drop me. There was nothing I could do about it.”

Buys was far from being despondent because he could not pull off what would have been one of his best victories.

“I am still a youngster in mountain biking. I only turned 21 last week, which means that my body has not adapted yet to racing over such long distances.  I certainly lack experience when compared with Kevin and Melt, but I will work on it. I know I will get stronger.”

In the end Evans outsprinted Swanepoel to win, with Buys finishing 3rd.  Francois Theron (Garmin adidas) was 5th.

When asked to comment, Buys said that for him the most exciting section of the race was the big descent.

“It was the coolest single-track section on which I have ever raced.  I don’t know how the organizers discovered these roads, but it was amazing to race literally on the edge of those big cliffs.  For me it was a pure adrenaline rush because I always enjoy a technical challenge.”

About being the only rider to be able to ride to the top of the climb, Buys said that it was fortunate that his bike had a granny gear.

Marc Bassingthwaighte (Garmin adidas) finished 14th.

“Being sick in the build-up to the race, I realized that my chances of winning were slim.  That is why Francois and I decided to help Philip as much as possible until we reached the climb.  I think we did a good job.

“My problems started soon afterwards. My stomach became really upset. It got so bad that I had to stop and do some bundu bashing to secure a moment of privacy.”

Mannie Heymans (Garmin adidas) only rode the first 60km of the race.  He then took a short cut to the technical zone to be able to help his team-mates when they got there.

“I tested my elbow the day before on the route and then realized that it would be foolhardy to try to do the whole race. It was important for me just to get the feel of racing again.  Now I realize that it will still take a long time before I have recovered fully and become able to race flat out again.

Heymans impressed spectators and participants alike when in an impressive show of humility “Mister African” himself started helping riders out at the water point. Reuben Opperman later said “The man has won my respect... all pro's watch and learn, you're just a water table away from when you were beginners!”

Heymans said afterwards “I will certainly be racing in next week’s Crater Cruise Ride because my elbow will then be at least a few days stronger.”